Gang sweep nets 27 arrests

A recent spike in gang violence triggered a county-wide sweep Wednesday that resulted in the arrests of 27 suspected gang members.

More than 100 peace officers from local, state and federal agencies targeted 115 suspected gang members for contact on Wednesday. They conducted 89 probation and parole searches and made 27 arrests on various charges. The sweep also resulted in the seizure of nine firearms, including two assault rifles, two ounces of methamphetamine and marijuana from two grow operations.

Stanislaus County Sheriff spokesman Sgt. Anthony Bejaran said the operation was implemented due to an increase in gang-related violence over the past several years. The county has continued to see an increase in gang related crimes, including homicides, drive-by shootings, and assaults. Drive-by shootings, specifically between Norteno and Sureno criminal streets gangs, have spiked recently, with two Sureno gang members shot and killed in the last month.

The sweep began around 10 a.m. and continued through the evening. More operations are expected through the summer.